Broad Band Phased Array

The design and development of the radiating portion of broad band active element phased arrays has not kept pace with the development of microwave integrated circuits. The commonly used "Vivaldi Notch" arrays are large, expensive, prone to manufacturing tolerance problems and their impedance can vary with respect to antenna scan angle. This effort will provide the detailed design of a 7 to 12 GHz array that is thin (approx. 1 inch from ground plane to top layer) and scan compensated from normal out to 60 deg. in any direction. This array design will contain feed and matching networks so it can be readily interfaced with MMIC T/R modules. The array design will use standard printed circuit techniques for low cost and highly reliable manufacturing tolerances. The electrical design of the arry will use proven computer codes and account for all potential radiation including feed line effects. The feed and matching networks will be designed using common microstrip methods and the connections between various layers in the network will implement plated through hole technology. This type of array is well suited for conformal applications but can be adapted to virtually any radiating aperture and can be applied to commercial aircraft radars, automated highways (IVHS) and the telecommunications industry.